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Perturbation Analysis for Wetting Fronts in Richard's Equation

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Abstract

Perturbation methods are used to study the interaction of wetting fronts with impervious boundaries in layered soils. Solutions of Richards' equation for horizontal and vertical infiltration problems are considered. Asymptotically accurate solutions are constructed from outer solutions and boundary-layer corrections. Results are compared with numerical simulations to demonstrate a high level of accuracy.

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WITELSKI, T.P. Perturbation Analysis for Wetting Fronts in Richard's Equation. Transport in Porous Media 27, 121–134 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006513009125

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